Commencement Speakers

Matthew Crome
Matthew Crome

Matthew Crome is a lifelong resident of Marin. He grew up in Fairfax and graduated from San Domenico School in 2018, entering College of Marin (COM) later the same year. During his time at San Domenico School, he won his rating section of the CalChess State Chess Championships. 

He pursued his interests while taking classes at COM, involving himself with the Chess Club, Philosophy Club, Computer Science Club, Robotics, and trivia nights. 

Matthew works with autistic children as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and intends to gain further certification in this field. His goal is to make the world easier to navigate for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. 

In 2022, he earned an associate of arts for transfer degree from COM in psychology and is now graduating with an associate of arts degree in anthropology, as well as transferring to a four-year school.

 


Emma Rose Neal portraitEmma Rose Neal

Emma Rose Neal is a first-generation college student and first-generation immigrant, originally from Norwich, England. She grew up in San Anselmo, California, and graduated from Archie Williams High School in 2020. After a gap year, she decided to attend College of Marin (COM). 

Emma has been very involved in the COM community as a Peer English Tutor, member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honors Society, Publicity Coordinator of the Transfer Club, 10,000 Degrees scholar, and EOPS student. In 2022, she was elected President of the Associated Students of College of Marin (ASCOM) where she proudly represents and advocates for the student body to the College administration, broader community, and state. 

Outside of her COM classes, Emma started her own flourishing business as a piano teacher. She teaches 45 private piano lessons each week with students ranging from ages 4 to 63. Emma’s experience as a student leader and teacher has inspired her to continue a career path that advocates for equitable educational resources and policies. 

Emma is graduating with an associate of arts degree in Spanish and will transfer to either UCLA or UC Berkeley to pursue a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in education.